Product Description

Illuminating the Bible, one intriguing life at a time!

Alive, authentic, and utterly unpredictable, the people and personalities of the Bible are not the two-dimensional figures of Sunday school flannel boards but the living, breathing, animated human beings who participated in God's grand story. They loved, worked, and worshiped. They married, mourned, and manipulated. They murdered, betrayed, and begged God for forgiveness. In short—they are us.

The Biographical Bible offers you an engaging overview of Scripture through the lens of the fascinating people who populate its pages. Through insightful reflections on the lives of over eighty individuals, this unique book captures the essence of these colorful characters, warts and all. The perfect companion to personal or group Bible study, and also endlessly entertaining, this lively narrative brings the Bible to life as no other book does.

Come along on this chronological tour. Meet the great figures of the Bible—with all their follies, foibles, authenticity, and charm! Accompanied by informative sidebars and classic illustrations, Tucker's lively profiles of more than 80 characters from Scripture—including Adam, Eve, and their sons; Naomi, Ruth, and Hannah; Jesus; Paul; Mary Magdalene; and John of Patmos—provide a down-to-earth look at God's people.

Features

Chronicles the lives and times of over 80 Bible personalities

Covers the entire Bible in an appealing two-color format

Each chapter includes character profiles, sidebars, classic art illustrations, and ideas for further reading

Ruth A. Tucker (PhD, Northern Illinois University) has for more than three decades taught at colleges and seminaries, including Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and Calvin Theological Seminary. She is the author of many books, including From Jerusalem to Irian Jaya, Walking Away from Faith, and Parade of Faith: A Biographical History of the Christian Church. Tucker lives with her husband, John Worst, in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Publisher's Description

The Biographical Bible offers an engaging overview of Scripture through the lens of the fascinating figures who populate its pages. Through insightful reflections on the lives of over eighty individuals, this unique book captures the essence of these colorful characters, warts and all. They are people who have much in common with twenty-first century people of faith. Here the reader will find a lively and insightful narrative that brings the Bible to life as no other book does.

Author Bio

Ruth A. Tucker (PhD, Northern Illinois University) has for more than three decades taught at colleges and seminaries, including Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and Calvin Theological Seminary. She is the author of many books, including From Jerusalem to Irian Jaya, Walking Away from Faith, and Parade of Faith: A Biographical History of the Christian Church. Tucker lives with her husband, John Worst, in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

The Biographical Bible is not a Bible - it is not a Study Bible or a Devotional Bible. Rather it is biographical dictionary of 50-75 major individuals found in the Christian Scriptures. Based on solid scholarship, it also has a devotional flavor.

Each chapter is devoted to a period of history - most covering the lives of two or more Biblical characters. For example the first three chapters cover the following characters:

Chapter 1 - Adam, Eve, and the Boys: From Eden to the Tower of Babel

Chapter 2 - Abraham and Sarah: Joys and Tribulations of Old Age

Chapter 3 - Isaac and Rebekah: Marital Missteps and Misery

With 24 chapters, I am estimating that 75 to 100 people are discussed with varying amount of detail.

Within those 24 chapters, the author brings to life people and events that make up Biblical history in very readable series of vignettes that allow the reader to appreciate the contribution that each has made to the Spiritual history of Israel and the Church.

My major complaint with the book is the separation of Biblical footnotes from other references (i.e. other primary and secondary sources). Biblical footnotes are collected in an index at the rear of the text, other references are footnoted in place. Each chapter also includes a list of suggested works for "Further Reading".

The book is a welcome reference book to the library of a pastor or teacher doing a biographical study - whether of a single individual or of a series of characters. It stands along similar works by such authors as Alexander Whyte, James Hastings, Charles Spurgeon, and John MacArthur. It is my hope that this book gains a wide audience and appreciation within the church.

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This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are mine alone.